Gifts or not?

Detectives with the Miami County Sheriff’s Office questioned the items listed below, which were purchased by Waibel Energy Systems. Detectives suspected they were illegal gifts, while company officials denied wrongdoing.

1. A $2,000, 70-inch flat screen television. The TV ended up in the home of former county maintenance director Jarrod Harrah. Company officials said the TV was intended to be used in Miami County’s Hobart Building as part of an HVAC project.

2. A $5,000 HVAC unit, plus an electronic thermostat, that was installed in the county’s maintenance office. Company officials admitted to investigators the items were given free of charge, but said they were for Miami County and not any individual employee.

3. A 32-inch television found in Harrah’s office. Company officials said the TV was a monitor for a heating and cooling system installed in an adjacent buildilng. Harrah said the company gave him the TV after he asked for it. Investigative records don’t indicate how much it cost.

4. A $932 Apple iPad. Similar to the television, Harrah said the Waibel company gave it to him after he said he wished he had one. Company officials said the iPad was meant to help monitor the county’s heating and cooling system, and produced an invoice showing the county paid for the device, which was found in Harrah’s home.

5. Four Cincinnati Reds tickets found in Harrah’s desk. Company officials acknowledged they bought the tickets. Financial records obtained by detectives show the Waibel company paid $383.85 for the tickets.

6. $111 worth of pizza, delivered to the Miami County maintenance department by a Waibel company sales representative.